Synthetic drug Black Mamba blamed for rise in attacks on paramedics

Black Mamba is being blamed for a rise in assaults on ambulance staff in the West Midlands.

The synthetic drug, which is used as a cannabis substitute, sends its users into a zombie-like state, and has become a growing problem across many towns and cities.

Figures published recently showed that there have been almost 1,000 assaults on ambulance staff in Birmingham alone in the last five years.

Simon Snookes, a paramedic at West Midlands Ambulance Service, says Black Mamba is behind the recent attacks.

In March, he was called to treat a patient who had been using the drug - only for the patient to punch him in the face: